Factors that Influence Body Image
image is very important because it can affect how a person sees themselves as a whole. In some cases, a disorder in body image has even led to life-threatening eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. The following are some factors that influence this.
What the society views as a good body image
Unfortunately, in America today, the views on body image are very “narrow.” Many feel that a female should be super skinny, a man big and muscular. A lot of women strive for size 0, which for most is unrealistic and unattainable through healthy means. This view depends on the society and has changed throughout the years.
Parents and other relatives
Parents can have a significant role in how someone views himself or herself. If a young girl was always taught that she is beautiful no matter what she looks like on the outside, then she might be more likely to believe it. If she was praised for what she was and told about all that was good in her inside and out then she might have a healthier image. If instead she was chided for being a little heavier or told to lose weight when she was at a healthy weight already, then this can cause her to have body image problems.
How your parents interact with each other and even themselves can have an effect. For instance, if a young girl always watched her mother starving herself and muttering to herself in the mirror how unhappy she was with how she looked, then this can unwittingly teach a youngster these bad behaviors. If her father was always calling her mother names because of how she looked, then this can leave scars as well.
You may also be influenced by friends who are striving to look a certain way or who instead have their own good or bad body image.
Actors/actresses/models
A lot of people look to the television for role models. If they see that almost everyone there is skinny, then they might feel like that is what they have to be. Also, when you look at a magazine and the models are super tall and super thin, then that might cause them to have a lower body image of themselves if they have anything different.
A healthy body image is important for everyone, and this is unfortunately lacking in many people today. The above points illustrate some of the factors that can influence this.
Updated On: 08/17/2010 Published On: 08/17/2010 Article ViewerClose
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